Brake line sets / fuel line

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Joined
Feb 20, 2020
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Location
North Georgia
My Car
1972 Mach 1 dark green
I see some of the vendors sell brake lines by the piece.  Is there once source for a full set in stainless steel, I see this vendor has some, any others.  Fuel lines in stainless also?  https://www.inlinetube.com/pages/product-list?year=7734226032956336614&make=1828299879717471912&model=3218048909376888140#?p=1
 NPD is where I bought all of mine in SS preformed and fit so-so. You may need to tweak them here and there. Brake lines are harder to seal in SS, but doable. For the amount of driving most of us do in these classics, good quality ordinary steel lines will outlast the car, so your choice.

For fuel lines yes definitely I'd go SS. Again, I got mine from NPD. Again, it needed a bit of tweaking at the tank end. There are rubber pieces needed as well, buy Fuel Injector hose as it is ethanol resistant on the inside. Also PLEASE DO NOT USE gear clamps anywhere on fuel lines (or anywhere else for that matter!!) Make sure you use the correct clamps for the application. There are rubber grommets that go through the aprons, and shock towers, replace these at the same time. NPD sell these too.

If you replace your tank as well, I suggest the Spectra Premium tank from RockAuto (best price) and the Dorman 692232 sending unit. The Spectra one is wrong for our cars!!

Here are a couple of pics of my fuel lines.



This is what your old line might look like inside. This one had all but rusted through in places and caused filter blockage.



This end needed  tweaking to line up with the tank connection. I added the rubber sleeve to stop vibration. Note the fuel line spring clamp.



As I have a Holley 4V carb, I made up a neater fuel line from pump to carb in 3/8" reg fuel line tube.



 Poor picture, but shows my connection to the pump. The short piece of rubber acts as a vibration insulator and an easier connector.

I use a steel inline filter between the apron and pump, but idealy it ought to be after the pump, but space is too tight. Do NOT ever use glass filters!

 
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I got mine from Classic Tube.  https://classictube.com/. They have wide selection for the various configurations base on brake type plus combination of rear end and brake drum size.  

Can also try CJPony.  https://www.cjponyparts.com/.  

Ohio Mustang Supplies carries a wide range of parts but I don't believe Don has brake line kits.  Check them out at https://www.ohiomustang.com



 
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I got mine from Classic Tube.  https://classictube.com/. They have wide selection for the various configurations base on brake type plus combination of rear end and brake drum size.  

Can also try CJPony.  https://www.cjponyparts.com/.  

Ohio Mustang Supplies carries a wide range of parts but I don't believe Don has brake line kits.  Check them out at https://www.ohiomustang.com

I have not had good luck with this company when restoring my J Code Vert. Bought supposedly factory style C-6 transmission to rad line’s and fuel pump to carb supply line. Both required major tweaking to fit...

 
I used Classic Tube for the front of my '71, zero issues.

I bought rear axles lines from Fine Lines and they fit okay. as I am not using a factory rear axle to body hose, so I had to adjust the bends. I also bought stainless rear axle lines and a set of five braided stainless flex hoses for my '07 Silverado from them and they fit perfectly.

https://www.sstubes.com/collections/all/Ford-Mustang-1972

 
I used Classic Tube on my car.

Think of it like a kit- about 90% right. There is some tweaking needed to get the fit just right. I would keep your old lines on hand until after you are satisfied with the fitment of the new ones.

Personally I like stainless fuel lines- but dislike stainless brake lines.

 
  Personally I like stainless fuel lines- but dislike stainless brake lines.

why not stainless brake lines??
I'll chime in here. While I had no problem with SS brake lines, they can be much harder to get a good seal. ALWAYS on any brake line, use flare nut wrenches.

If you find you need to remake a flare on SS lines, it will be much harder even with a really good double flare tool. Good quality steel lines could save a lot of frustration.

 
  Personally I like stainless fuel lines- but dislike stainless brake lines.

why not stainless brake lines??
Stainless isn’t always better.

If I had some old pickup with a plow and a salt spreader for dealing with snow I would consider stainless lines.  I think the argument that they last longer than steel lines is not valid on a Mustang.  If you are rusting out a set of brake lines you are also rusting out your car.

Things I don’t like about stainless.

1) It work hardens.  This can make it unforgiving if you need to change a bend, also can make it crack at the double flare.  It is more difficult to work with than plain old galvanized steel line.

Stainless is more expensive, harder to work with, makes the Concours guys heads explode IMHO.

 
  Personally I like stainless fuel lines- but dislike stainless brake lines.

why not stainless brake lines??
Stainless isn’t always better.

If I had some old pickup with a plow and a salt spreader for dealing with snow I would consider stainless lines.  I think the argument that they last longer than steel lines is not valid on a Mustang.  If you are rusting out a set of brake lines you are also rusting out your car.

Things I don’t like about stainless.

1) It work hardens.  This can make it unforgiving if you need to change a bend, also can make it crack at the double flare.  It is more difficult to work with than plain old galvanized steel line.

Stainless is more expensive, harder to work with, makes the Concours guys heads explode IMHO.

So the last 7 words in your last line that sounds more like a great reason to buy SS.

 
I think some are missing the point of using SS brake lines. It's NOT for looks and yes it would make the "concours" guy's head explode!!. The real purpose imo, is to prevent rust on the INSIDE which can and has caused brake failure. Ask me how I know!! Brake fluid absorbs moisture (unless it's silicone and most don't use that type)  and that moisture causes the inside of the lines to rust through over several years. (just like the fuel line in my pic, post #3)

For the age of both us and our Mustangs, the newer type steel lines will outlast us and our cars, so while I did install SS brake lines, I likely would not if I had to do it again.

There is one consideration when buying kits. My car was a drum/drum car, but I installed a set of SSBC 4 piston disc upfront. The kit I originally bought was for drums. Now, I'm trying to remember back 11 years since I did the swap, but I did have to buy a set of SS Disc front lines because with the SSBC swap. I'm really not sure now, but I think it was because the disc calipers required a longer piece to mate up with the rubber flex hoses. It was something like that , but my point is to make sure of what you need before buying. With ordinary lines, one could just make up what ever is needed if the front brakes are not stock factory discs.

 
I've been using DOT 5 silicone brake fluid in my SS lines for 3 reasons...1 doesn't attract moisture, 2 doesn't need to be changed and 3 doesn't harm paint !

 
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Stainless are a PITA!  Can tear up your proportioning valve seats when trying to seal the too.

Learned the hard way.

kcmash

 
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